The Fall Boone Handmade Market is coming up on December 4th!
Start and end your holiday gift shopping in one day! The Fall Boone Handmade Market will be held at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts on December 4, 2011 from 1-5 p.m. This event is presented by the Arts Management Organization (AMO), an active Appalachian student club and is sponsored by Appalachian State University’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. Over ninety emerging and established artists of the High Country will be selling their locally homemade goods at this indoor arts market.
These local artists will be selling everything handmade from delicious sweet treats to jewelry, sculpture, pottery, various arts and crafts and more. This is a great opportunity to support your community, buy locally and add unique handmade gifts to your holiday shopping list! All vendors accept cash and checks and some of the vendors are able to able to accept credit cards. This event not only supports the High Countrys local art scene, but acts as the clubs main fundraiser to support similar art events that the club hosts on campus and around town.
VENDOR LIST
(as of November 10, 2011)
· A Little Art Here, A Little Art There (Sara Zagar)
· æTanner Photography (Ashley Tanner)
· after emily (Nikki Burris)
· Angelique Designs (Angi Covington)
· Apotheosis Herbal (Sara Leverett)
· Appalachian Mountain Knits (Merima Friedman)
· Aquarian Gems (Francine Barr)
· arudegirl (Susan Westphal)
· Bee Kind Family Farm (Jaime Cool)
· Bentley Originals (Teresa Bentley)
· Blue Ridge Botanicals (Lindsay Dicker)
· Bluebird Knits (Jill Maynard)
· Brookdell (Constance Dellinger-Brooks)
· By Meleah (Meleah Printz)
· Caffaknitted Designs (Katie Boyette)
· Caravan Botanicals (Jaimee Smith)
· Cathey Purvey (Cathey Purvey)
· Catwalk Pottery (Loretta Link)
· Celtic Dolphin Studios (Darla Sargeant)
· Cloister Honey (Sarah Young)
· Creations b y Sheila (Sheila Eckard)
· Critter Crafts – Spay-Neuter Committee Watauga Humane Society (Amy Carson)
· Dandy Dots (Catharine Milner)
· DogsKin Studio (John Peters)
· Elkland Art Center (Lexie Danner)
· Fatlighter Woodworks & MillerMark Pens (Gary Michael Barker)
· Fig and Honey/Hoopla Hoops (Anna Johnson)
· Finders Keepers (Brittne L. Cope)
· Fireflies (Jordan Stokes)
· FireWorx Pottery (Mark Murrey)
· Full Harbor and Fallow Fleet (Austin Saylor)
· Glendora’s Box (Glenda Stewart)
· Ineke’s Textural Expressions (Ineke Thomas)
· Jacob Ford Ceramics (Jacob Ford)
· JL Merrill Metalworks (Julie Louise Merrill)
· KAL Asymmetry Glassworks and Knitworks (Kelly Loughlin)
· Lauragami (Laura Miller)
· Layne Quilts A Little (Mareva Layne McDaniel)
· Leather & Copper (Chelsea Brendle)
· lovely Crafts (Doreen Cox)
· Luna Fae Designs (Brenda Jackson)
· Meg Parker (Meg Parker)
· Mountain Knit Wit and Candles (Mary Ferrell)
· National Art Education Association Student Chapter (Elizabeth Lauer)
· One+Tutu (Pamela D Allen)
· Outcasts & Exiles (Thomas Andrew Edmonds)
· Owl Handmade (Lindsey Sutphin)
· Payton-Alexis (Payton Brown)
· Pika Mountain (Torrey Tye)
· Poco Piu Mosso (Lindsay Scarborough)
· RagBags (Pam Washer)
· ReflectSpirit: Healing Art for Sustainable Wellness (Maloo Murrey)
· Salt Designs (Leanne Salt)
· Salvage Garden (Rebekah Epling)
· Shed Studios (Jonathan Smith)
· Sign Language (Sherry Markovitch)
· Silver & Stones (Judy Goodwin)
· Simple Bright Moon (Abby White)
· Southern Charms Jewelry (Laura Beth Surber)
· Tea and Leaf (William Mitro)
· The Quilting Biddys (BR Hoffman & Barb Elyea)
· Thompson Pottery (Brandon Thompson)
· Traveling Troubadour (Cody Maddox)
· Tyler Deal Artwork (Tyler Deal)
· Wild Creation (Anna Casebere)
· Windwalker Mountain Handcrafts (Dana Cox)
· Yellowfin Jewelry (Marta Toran)
· Alexandra Bradley
· Amber C. Brown
· Amber M. Dillingham
· Beck Long
· Courtney Evers
· Don Haywood
· Elizabeth Skinner
· Emily Meisner
· Emily Vanderlinden
· Gail Pillars
· Janes Richard Foley
· Joseph Duffer
· Justin Leitner
· Kathryn Copley
· Kelley Wolcott & Marty McCormick
· Laura Arbogast
· Lauren Bennett
· Marybeth R. Whalen
· Meagan O’Connor
· Megan Goble
· Samantha Jeanne McCalip
· Shelly Crandall
· Tiffany Christian
AMOs Mission
The Arts Management Organization seeks to promote professionalism and networking within arts fields by increasing the awareness of the arts on Appalachian State Universitys campus and in the community. This organization is open to Appalachian State University students and community members inspired by the arts and other expressive forms. Members seek to enrich the knowledge and appreciation of the arts for all who are involved. The objectives of AMO are: to create an environment in which to learn and shareprofessional practices; to enhance the lives of artists and students by promoting all forms of art within Appalachian State University and surrounding community by providing opportunities; to provide educational opportunities for participating students; and to create lasting partnerships with other campus organizations.
About the Turchin Center
The Turchin Center is located at 423 West King St., in Boone, NC. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, and Noon 8 p.m., Friday. The Turchin Center is closed Sunday and Monday and observes all university holidays. There is no admission charge, although donations are gratefully accepted. For additional details about the Turchin Center or the upcoming exhibition program, please call 828-262-3017 or visit www.tcva.org.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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Blowing Rock’s Christmas in the Park & Lighting of the Town!
November 25th, 2011, Memorial Park, 828-295-5222
In the Gazebo
Hayrides through Blowing Rock ….. 4-9pm
Memorial Park
Airwalks …..2-7pm
Memorial Park
Free Hot Cider and Hot Chocolate ….. 5-9pm
Memorial Park
Caroling in the Park ….. 5-6:30pm
with the “Vagabonds”
Lighting of the Town….. 5:30pm
with Mayor JB Lawrence
Bluegrass Christmas….. 7-9pm
with Diana & Sarvis Ridge
***DON’T FORGET! The Christmas Parade will be held the following day on Saturday, November 26 at 2pm. ***
For more, visit: http://www.blowingrock.com
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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Downtown Boone Art Crawl on November 4th!
Join us for the Downtown Boone Art Crawl on the first Friday of every month!
Shop, mingle and meet local artists from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at our shops and galleries and stay late for live music, food and drinks at one of our many fine restaurants.
For more info and to download a brochure, visit: http://boone-nc.org/artcrawl2011
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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Grandfather Mountain Celebrates A “Beary Scary Halloween”!
Celebrate Halloween with the creatures of the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats Saturday October 29th. Join in the first ever “Beary Scary Halloween” festivities and help the Mountain raise funds for renovations on Grandfather’s eagle habitat.
“We wanted to create a fun event that would give kids a chance to be more involved in the animals’ day and provide us with the opportunity to raise awareness about the improvements that we hope to make to our eagle habitat,” said Christie Tipton, habitat manager.
Halloween activities take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are included with regular admission. Kids in costume will get in at half price.
The day begins at 10 a.m. with Halloween-themed crafts in the Nature Museum. At 10:30 a.m. kids can go trick or treating in the animal habitats, which will be decorated in mummy, werewolf, ghost and graveyard themes.
At 11 a.m. Naturalists will meet by the Mildred the Bear statue in the Nature Museum to lead an interactive program titled “Going Batty for Bats.” Participants will learn all about bats and their importance to the environment.
Prepare to be captivated by ghost stories at 11:30 a.m. in the Nature Museum Auditorium. Local storytellers Maggie Christenbury and Owen Gray will lead scary tales to thrill the whole family.
At 12:30 p.m. kids get a chance to compete in a costume contest and vote on their favorite costume worn by the animal habitat staff. Voting takes place in the Nature Museum lobby.
Immediately following the costume contest, guests have a unique opportunity to participate in the animal enrichments by decorating pumpkins and other treats that will later be given to the animals. An enrichment is anything different that can help to break up the animals’ day such as a scent, a new toy or a treat.
Join the Mountain’s Naturalists in the Nature Museum at 1 p.m. for the “Creepy, Crawly Critters!” program. Participants will learn about creatures of the night, creatures that bite and other spooky animals.
At 2 p.m. the Habitat Staff will begin the animal enrichments. Meet at the deer overlook to watch the animals enjoy their decorated treats.
The last of the day’s programming will take place in front of the fudge shop at 2:45 p.m. An “Owl Encounter” allows guests to meet and learn about the spooky night prowlers that can be found in the High Country.
Throughout the day guests can learn more about the eagle habitat, special programs offered by habitat staff and additional opportunities to get involved on the Mountain. For more information, contact the habitat staff at 828-733-8715.
Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities.
For more information phone 800-468-7325 or plan a trip at www.grandfather.com.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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6th Annual Valle Crucis Punkin Festival Slated for October 22nd
The Valle Crucis Punkin Festival marks its sixth year in 2011. It was founded in 2006 as a kid-friendly event tied to the harvest season. Although it is a small festival, it is big on fun – starting with the name. The organizers chose the name “simply because it’s a lot more fun than pumpkin.”
Kids are invited to participate in all kinds of old-fashioned games like Apple Bob (bobbing for apples hanging from a string), Hoop-La (can you hook the ring?), Punkin Sack Races (try to do that without laughing), and Dog Bowl In (get the ball to stay in one of the dog bowls). Everyone can get their face painted and enjoy food, of course. In addition, kids and their parents have an artistic outlet to carve their Jack ‘o Lanterns with no muss and no fuss. Festival volunteers “cut and gut” the pumpkins for you! Proceeds from the day go to the Western Youth Network (WYN), a non-profit group serving youth and families in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties and the Valle Crucis Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association. That leads right into one of the event’s theme: Carving for a Cause.
Kids will need a parental permission form completed in order to participate. Click HERE to download a PDF version and fill it out before the festival so you can join in the fun right away.
The festival is staffed by volunteers from WYN, Appalachian State University, Valle Crucis Elementary School, and the Mast General Store.
For more info, visit: http://www.punkinfestival.com/
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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Festivals Offer Opportunities To Experience Fall In The NC High Country
The slopes of the North Carolina High Country are turning vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow this month and area festivals offer great ways to enjoy the season. The range of elevations in the area make it a premiere location to watch the leaf change and the mix of small towns provides an eclectic offering of autumnal events.
The Boone Heritage Festival October 8 celebrates Appalachian and Daniel Boone heritage with 18th century living history demonstrations, craft vendors, music jam sessions and storytelling. Located at Hickory Ridge Homestead, the event will feature make-and-take crafts including dipped candles, cornhusk dolls and scarecrows.
The weekend of October 8-9 brings the cry of “yodel lay he ho” to the High Country during the 21st Annual Sugar Mountain Oktoberfest. The event, at Sugar Mountain Resort, mixes Bavarian and Appalachian culture and is a great experience for the whole family.
The Valle Country Fair, October 15 in Valle Crucis, is an overgrown church bazaar set in the center of one of the most picturesque valleys in North Carolina.
That same weekend is when one of the High Country’s most well-known events takes place. The 34th Annual Woolly Worm Festival will be held in Banner Elk October 15-16. Crafts, festival foods and the Woolly Worm caterpillar races predicting the coming winter’s weather make this a must-see event!
The 6th Annual Valle Crucis Punkin Festival will be October 22. The Punkin Festival benefits local organizations and offers Punkin Sack Races, Punkin Bowling, crafts and music.
The Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad is safe, scary fun for the whole family. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday evening in October. Visit the Haunted House, Freaky Forest, 3-D Maze and take a journey on the Ghost Train – if you dare!
Many other events occur throughout the month of October including the Todd New River Festival, art crawls in Boone and West Jefferson, Halloween festivals in Blowing Rock and at Grandfather Mountain, special programming at area state parks and natural areas and opportunities to enjoy bluegrass and mountain music at Crouse Park in Sparta.
For ticket information, times and more information on all High Country events please visit the High Country Host website, www.mountainsofnc.com.
North Carolina’s High Country provides the best vacation experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area includes 100 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and many popular tourist destinations including Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Linville, Sparta, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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Fall Color Report From ASU!
Howie Neufeld, Ph.D.
Professor of Plant Physiology
Appalachian State University
This has been an interesting week in the mountains. Beginning on Friday, the temperatures dropped, and the winds picked up.
Jesse Pope, chief naturalist up on Grandfather Mountain, reports that on Saturday winds reached 60 mph with gusts up to 74 mph.
Luckily, for most trees, they were still holding on to their leaves quite tightly, so even though some were blown off, most are still there, and if we don’t get more wind storms like that one, they should turn color quite nicely in the next two weeks.
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Mount Jefferson State Natural Area October Programs
Underground Railroad Hike
Saturday, October 8th
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic area
Traverse the history of Mount Jefferson with a ranger as he travels back in time to the days of the Underground Railroad. Participants will experience the folklore and history surrounding Mount Jefferson as you hike along the mountain ridge
Vista Viewing
Sunday October 9th
Time 2: 00 pm, meet at the 2nd Overlook
Enjoy a view of three states while learning the oral tradition associated with Mount Jefferson and its surrounding mountains. This program is weather dependent. Participants are encouraged to wear winter attire.
Fairies & Gnomes Houses Building
Saturday October 15th
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic area
Come up on the mountain and use your imagination and natural materials to build woodland creature house. Each person or family will build a small house for an imaginary small creature.
Night Hike
Saturday Night 15th
Time 7:30 pm, meet at park Office
Are you looking for an adventure after dark? Come on up to Mt. Jefferson for a breathtaking night hike. Meet the park ranger for a 1mile hike along the ridgeline out to Luther Rock. Bring a small flashlight and wear sturdy shoes. Parts of this hike are considered strenuous and hiking at night can be physically challenging.
Children must be closely supervised. Park Office (336) 246-9653
Fall Colors Hike
Sunday, October 16th Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic shelter
Take some time this fall and enjoy the spectacular change of season. Come up to the picnic area and meet a park ranger for a hike into the autumn season. Bring your cameras and questions as we will be looking at the spectacular fall color. Meet at picnic area. Bring appropriate shoes or boots
The Legend of Tom Dooley
Saturday, October 22rd
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic shelter
Join a Western North Carolina native as he relives the last days of the North Carolina legend, Tom Dooley. Did Tom Dooley murder Laura Foster in the Shadows of the Blue Ridge? The infamous story will be accompanied by songs to include the “Ballad of Tom Dooley.” Participants should meet at the Park Picnic Shelter
Vista Viewing
Sunday, October 23rd
Time 2:00 pm, meet at the 2nd Overlook
Enjoy a view of three states while learning the oral tradition associated with Mount Jefferson and its surrounding mountains. This program is weather dependent. Participants are encouraged to wear winter attire.
Fall Colors Hike
Saturday, October 29th
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic area
Take some time this fall and enjoy the spectacular change of season. Come up to the picnic area and meet a park ranger for a hike into the autumn season. Bring your cameras and questions as we will be looking at the spectacular fall color. Meet at picnic area. Bring appropriate shoes or boots.
Mt. Jefferson Geology
Sunday October 30th
Time 2:00 pm, meet at picnic shelter
We will seek out a treasure of knowledge. Several types of geological formations will be seen on this mountain hike. Metamorphic formations and intrusive quartz are located on the trail. We will also dig into the connections that exist between the soil and plants. Join us on this fall season Geo hike. Bring appropriate shoes or boots.
For more information or directions, Call (336) 246-9653
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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New River State Park – October Programs!
Black Bears
October 9th, 2011
Visitor Center
2:00 pm
Join a park ranger at the US Hwy 221 Access Visitor Center on Sunday October 9th, for this informative program. Black bears can be found throughout a large portion of NC. They often make the news when they pass through a populated area. This program will separate the facts and myths about black bears. Meet at the Visitor Center auditorium at 2:00 pm.
Call the park office for more information. 336-982-2587 (982)
River Otters
October 16th, 2011
Visitor Center
2:00 pm
Join a park ranger at the US Hwy 221 Access Visitor Center on Sunday October 16th for this informative program. You will learn about the Otters and their habitats. Call the park office for more information. 336-982-2587 (981)
Fall Color Hike
October 22nd 2011
Visitor Center
2:00 pm
Join a park ranger for a fun filled hike along the Hickory Trail at the 221 Access Area of New River State Park. You will see some of the wonderful colors of gall and discover some of the amazing things that live in the park. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water, as we will be hiking just over a mile. Call the park office for more information. 336-982-2587 (810)
Tree ID Hike
October 23rd 2011
Wagoner Access
2:00 pm
Join a park ranger at the Wagoner Access for a short hike. We will learn the basic trees of New River. Be prepared to walk one mile. Call the park office for more information. 336-982-2587
(811)
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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Grandfather Mountain Predicts Stunning Fall Color!
The first hints of autumn are in the air and Grandfather Mountain is preparing for the vibrant colors that are sure to follow. In an effort to help visitors experience all of the beauty that the High Country has to offer, Grandfather Mountain provides many opportunities for guests to learn more about the amazing transformation that overtakes the forest in fall.
“We are seeing lots of color change already for this early in September. The trees are looking healthy with lots of leaves, so I’m very optimistic that this will be a good season,” said Director of Education Jesse Pope. “The peak viewing time in the higher elevations will likely be around the first two weeks in October.”
Grandfather Mountain has ideal conditions for leaf looking due to a wide range in elevation, which allows visitors to see the changing leaves over a greater number of weeks. On the weekends of October 8-9 and October 15-16 Grandfather’s Interpretive Rangers and Naturalists will offer “The Colors of Grandfather” guided walks at 1 p.m. These hikes will lead guests through woodlands populated by many different species of hardwoods, provide an opportunity to learn more about the phenomenon of leaf change, and answer questions about Grandfather’s unique ecosystem.
Grandfather is a great destination for leaf looking, not only because its high peaks are a good vantage point for looking out across the color on the hillsides below, but because the mountain hosts such a tremendous variety of plant life.
In addition to the planned programming inside the park in October, fresh fall color photos are posted daily throughout the month on the Mountain’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account. These postings include up-to-date reports on leaf looking conditions, helpful tips for visiting the area in fall and the best routes for finding the brightest trees.
Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities. For more information phone 800-468-7325 or plan a trip at www.grandfather.com
For more info on The High Country of North Carolina, call (800) 438-7500, or visit www.MountainsofNC.com.
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